Social impact firms critical to sustainable development: study
Social impact businesses (SIBs) are a key factor in helping to achieve sustainable development goals, and as such they need more support to develop, according to a study report released in Hanoi on September 27.
Participants to the event release the study report on social impact businesses on September 27 (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) –Social impact businesses (SIBs) are a key factor in helping to achievesustainable development goals, and as such they need more support to develop,according to a study report released in Hanoi on September 27.
The report, unveiled by the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) and the National Economics University (NEU), saidthat SIBs can balance social and economic targets will create a sustainablebusiness model.
About 59 percent of SIBs in Vietnam choose tobalance social and economic targets, with 34 percent focusing more on socialtargets. Meanwhile, 70 percent of these companies are operating profitably.
Job provision, ensuring a healthy and happy lifefor all people, and environmental protection are the top three fields that SIBswork to promote, the report said.
It added SIBs in Vietnam are usually small in scaleand revenue. Recently, all have been seen to promote gender equality byemploying women and three-fourths have accepted people with disabilities.
To promote the development of SIBs, the reportrecommends the country increase their access to capital and innovativefinancing methods, boost their connectivity with other private enterprises, andset up a network for the SIB sector.
Rector of the NEU Prof. Tran Tho Dat said thepromotion of social entrepreneurship began in 2009 with the establishment ofthe NEU’s Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, exemplifying hisuniversity’s resolve and commitment in this field.
He expressed his belief that business modelaimed at profiting society and sustainable development is a 21st century trend,with entrepreneurs simultaneously generating economic values for themselves, providingpositive impacts on society, and reducing environmental impacts.
Catherine Phuong, UNDP Assistant CountryDirector in Vietnam, said that grasping this business model is criticallyimportant to Vietnam. Developing a more sustainable and inclusive approach toeconomic growth through innovation and technology, improving labourproductivity, and solving social and environmental challenges will helpaccelerate the realisation of sustainable development goals. –VNA
The En Xanh (Green Swallow) 2017 programme, which aims to promote business solutions to social and environment issues, was introduced by the Centre for Social Initiatives Promotion (CSIP) in central Da Nang city on July 18.
A conference was held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 29 to discuss how community-based organisations continue helping vulnerable groups since the amount of foreign financial aid is declining.
Developing creative business models that help generate profits and at the same time improve the life of the community and well address social issues is the new way of doing business in Vietnam.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP), Citi Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) jointly organised a diagnostic workshop on the state of the social impact startup ecosystem in Hanoi on June 15.
As Vietnam’s economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City boasts advantages to develop startups, with its science-technology resources accounting for 25 percent and the number of operating businesses taking up 50 percent of the country’s, while its labour productivity is 2.5 times higher than the national average.
According to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC), this year’s campaign provided long-term aid for 3,785 individuals and organisations. Support included houses, clean water systems, school meal facilities, books, and livelihood assistance, with a total value of more than 118 billion VND.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
Participants to the event release the study report on social impact businesses on September 27 (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) 
